Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Midland, TX (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Midland

Texas
99

Fresno and Midland have a similar cost of living.

$1,324/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↑ 6%
$66,804/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↑ 36%
$348,500 ↑ 17%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 14%
$1,391/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↑ 6%
543,615
Population
133,998

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $83/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $996/year.

Median household income is $24,365/year higher in Midland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Midland residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Midland — common questions

Is Fresno or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Midland?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $83/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Midland?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $24,365/year higher in Midland.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Midland?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Midland details →

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